Splintered

Chapter Sixty-Four: They Strung up a Man

Tart winter winds seeped through the gaps of Hazel's coat, chilling her to the bone, as she moved along with her family through a lot blanketed in white. It was one of several empty plots of land in Victor's Village. Ready for another winner to be crowned. Instead of a house, there was a mammoth of a vessel, shiny, coal black, and purring like a ravenous beast. One of the Capitol's finest hovercrafts, undoubtedly.

Out in front was Senator Snow. His face was calm, neutral as he waited. The sparkling frost and cold whipping around his form didn't seem to faze him in the least.

Hazel's family was silent as they trudged closer. Sable, Merrick, and Leo followed behind, along with no less than fifteen other peacekeepers.

Rowan was clean, dressed, bandaged as best as Fern and Hazel could manage, and packed. He kept his shoulders squared as the three youngest kids huddled around, showering him with tearful hugs.

The news of his abrupt departure had been a shock to their systems. Someday they would know the full truth, but for today, Rowan was taking advantage of an opportunity he would be a fool to turn down.

A dead fool.

Oren and Fern gave Rowan another lingering embrace, and he bid farewell to the three youngest before adjusting the pack slung over his shoulder. Finally, Hazel wrapped him in an embrace all her own.

"Be good," she whispered in his ear.

"Be careful," he whispered back, staring down Snow over her shoulder. "I'll write you."

"I'll be waiting for your letters."

When she'd released her brother, Snow finally spoke up, "Ready, Mr. Starling?"

"Yes," Rowan answered, straightening even further as Snow glided closer.

"It may be intimidating, but I assure you, everything has been taken care of."

"You think they'll really accept a district kid?" Rowan asked.

"They have before, and they will again." Snow sighed, jaw slightly tighter than usual. "A good friend of mine was from Two, and he attended the Capitol Academy as well."

Hazel sponged up the curious information, while Snow guided Rowan toward the hovercraft.

Snow had a friend from the Districts? She didn't know he had many outside of Festus.

Snow patted Rowan on the back, smiling brilliantly as they moved out of earshot. Eventually, Rowan turned one last time at the ramped entrance, waving to his family. Lily and Sage waved back while Linden chewed his nails. With one last nod, Rowan was swallowed by the beast of a craft.

The ground shook as the engines roared to life.

"Will he ever come home?" Sage asked.

"He will," Fern answered, kissing her son's head.

"Maybe Senator Snow will let us visit?" Lily offered.

Hazel wrapped her arms around herself as the craft lifted off the ground with ease, like it was made of paper. Tornadoes of snow swirled around them as the engine thrust propelled it higher.

Biting ice kissed her cheeks and chin as her little brother was flown off. Stolen into the Capitol. Even though it was the only way to keep him alive, that didn't mean it hurt any less to watch him leave.

Snow backed away, hands folded behind him as he gazed up at the sky, tracking the hovercraft until it was just a spec.

Not long after Rowan's departure, Hazel, too, had packed her belongings and was crammed back into the mayor's vehicle with her family. Snow took Rowan's seat among them. He kept his eyes averted, and his countenance remained appropriately solemn.